Man City agree deal to sign Marc Guehi

Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi this month.

City started talks to sign the England centre-back, 25, this month following injuries to defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.

Guehi, who has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs, is out of contract in the summer and was close to a move to Liverpool in the summer.

City have already signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in the current transfer window for £62.5m.

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The Guehi development emerged as Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about the club’s interest in Guehi during his news conference on Friday, but the Spaniard shut down the question with a firm “nothing to say”.

Meanwhile, Glasner said, “My understanding is the deal with Marc is in the final stages.” The Austrian then added that Guehi will not be in the squad to face Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

Earlier this month, Glasner said the Eagles would sell Guehi in January if the asking price was met.

Guehi captained Palace to their first major trophy in the FA Cup final against City in May, plus a Community Shield win over Liverpool at the start of this season.

He looked set to join Arne Slot’s side on 1 September, but the £35m deal fell through in the final hours of transfer deadline day, with Guehi having already started a medical.

Guehi became an England regular after joining Palace from Chelsea in 2021, and was a key player in the Three Lions’ run to the Euro 2024 final.

Croatia international Gvardiol, 23, recently had surgery after breaking his shinbone in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, while Portugal centre-back Dias, 28, is out for about four to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

City face derby rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

(BBC)